Journal of a Mystik

[Illusia]

((Please bare with me as I move posts around and re-arrange them to make a bit more sense. Here you will find her writings, thoughts, concerns of one they call Illusia Aradia Marcine-Drasoini.))

[Illusia]

Date: 10/21/1999 5:33 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Shebali Veldruk

Late one night on the Twilight Isle, the one known as Lady Illusia Marcine, sits on the sands of the isle, wading through thoughts and feelings of her heart.....

She had wandered onto the sands late that evening after tiresome events drew on her heart. Sitting on the sands, letting the solace and quietness of the Isle ease some of those pains, glancing out towards the water's edge. Deep in thought as she wondered on the events of her life, shaking her head as she breathed in deeply, sighing. Emerald and silver eyes turned towards the Twilight skies as she squinted to try and get a better view of the one that did not belong in the skies...It was black and though the skies were as well, whatever this was did not fit...should not have been there at all, her heart lurched as she stood up on the sands..."Wha' in RhyDin's name?"

As the dark spot comes closer out of the twilight, Illusia can make out an occasional glint, as if off a mirror. As it comes even closer, Illusia can make out a great winged body, with long neck, and tail and she can also make out why there seemed to be glinting from the dragon, for it can be no other thing, and it is because the dragon is covered by scales of the most brightly polished platinum ever seen. The dragon's snout is long, and has a shape much like a horse's head with numerous horns protruding from it, continuing down the neck of the dragon are spines, obviously razor sharp, growing largest at the rear of his wings, they continue down his tail, slowly growing smaller. As the dragon nears even closer, it lets out a loud roar, billowing a small gout of flame from it's mouth, it glides down towards the sands, it seems that the dragon has plans of attack on it's mind.

Teeth gritted as she makes out the shape in the twilight skies, emerald and silver eyes turning cold as she watched it's descent, her hand slipped beneath the cloak to lie agains the daggers on her thighs, paying close attention to the movements...her head tilted she was ready for anything, though suspected nothing as she watched and waited, tapping the daggers hilt.

As it nears Illusia and the sands, it billows it's great wings, and comes to a gentle landing behind a monolith. The dragon sets his haunches down, and sets his fore legs upon the monolith. In a deep booming voice, the dragon speaks to Illusia. "I am Dra'dar da Dragon. And I have chosen you, Lady Illusia Marcine as my master, so shall I guide thee as long as thee lives." With that, Illusia notices a ribbon of crimson around the dragon's neck.

"Ye knows I am o' Royal blood, Queen an Guardian ta my lands? An still ye wishes o' this?"

"I know this, and I have accepted it. You are to be my master."

[Illusia]

October 25, 1999

She had found herself walking on the sands as the twilight skies glittered over the waters once again, smiling softly to herself as her body filled with the warmth that coursed through the Isle. Her auras shifting, a slight glimmer in her eyes as she slowly removed her cloak from around her body, the coolness of the breeze touching her skin, thoughts of what is yet to come roam in her mind and again she smiles. Fighting within herself the shadows call and the pureness of her soul...a neverending battle it seemed. Sighing softly as she looked over the waters edge. The shadows within her being of a natural and neutral balance...for now she presumed she had nothing to fear, but even within ones self that natural balance can go astray when you would least expect it to and this she feared dearly. She thought on this for quite some time as she stood on the rock in the middle of the waters, her cloak pooled at her feet as she stepped forward a bit, the gentle waters lapping at the hem of her gown, she smiled, shaking her head. She felt free...though she knew it would not be long before the feeling fled, she relished in it...stepping off of the rock and into the chilled waters of the Twilight, a whispered word as she warmed the waters to a more tolerable temperature. She was a powerful woman...even now...though in time that power would be amplified ten fold...she heard their voices within her head...they had called her a goddess...they had called her possessed...what she was she was not sure as she faught the balance within her. At the moment she did not care much as she dove into the waters, her clothes shimmering away from her body as she disappears beneath the glittering waters.

[Illusia]

October 26, 1999

A silver hawk flies over the sands. It's cries filled with pain and agony and heard through all the lands. She sits on the same rock within the center of the waters as she lifted her emerald and silver eyes to follow the hawk's path in the twilight skies...sighing deeply. Shaking her head as the tears slid down her cheeks, the cry grew louder as she nodded her head to him. "I nae know m'frien', I nae know." An ability flowing through her blood to be able to talk to anyone, and anything not mattering what form. Knowing that the Elder above felt her pain and the pain of others as well. Some would think that she had everything...a castle, kingom...servants, money enough to fill the Isle itself..two beautiful children, powers beyond powers...they said she had everything. Yes, she did have many powers, even powers that she didn't know about yet, but the one thing lacking to make her whole again...to put her soul and heart at peace...love...the man within the legends, within her dreams. Where was he in her time of need? The waters lapped gently at her bare legs, smiling softly as she sighed. She felt caged, trapped...not able to free herself totally as she slipped her legs over the rock to swish within the waters...All her life she had cared for others first, worrying over them before herself. Whether it was family, friends, nature or animals...even total strangers came before her wants. She let her legs play in the crisp waters as she heard Rak's cries from above as she watched him, careen down towards the waters and rising up again as he skimmed the waters. Thinking about her life here thus far, she knew that most knew her only as the kind and patient, caring woman that she was and not the darker side that she had been fighting for quite some time now...the darker side she dared not to let anyone see within her. She was torn...a woman torn apart, everything torn from her...the balance within she had faught so hard to keep even, was now beginning to shift...Emotions swept over her once again as the balance faught to stay even, her body crackling with silver energies as her form shifted, now seated on the center of the rock in the form of a hawk, wings tightly wrapped around herself...tiny beaded eyes peering out and around before a cry erupted and she took flight into the twilight skies...

[Illusia]

Date: 3/8/2000 2:33 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Illusia Marcine

~*~

She moved swiftly from the Outback that eve, the chill of Icedancer still felt within her as she shuddered against the chill of the Rhydin night air...The woman had only known Dae for a short time, yet was honored that he had come to her and asked her to unlock the mysteries of the Icedancer Opal...And so she set off that night to discover what she could before she returned home to the babes and Mortiva...She had told Rak to deliver the message to Mortiva that she had had some business to attend to before she would return home, and Mortiva didn't mind...She had said that the twins were sleeping peacefully and she was not tired yet. So Illusia set out with Rak at her side, to try to unlock the legends of the Icedancer...

After leaving the Outback, she sought out her father whom was busy, so she returned to her homelands, to search the legends and Ancient Tomes and to speak with the Elders there...She entered the gates and moved swiftly towards the Temples, with a gentle nod to those gathered, happy that their Queen had returned...A soft word lit the torches within as she moved to the tomes quickly, her heart racing, wanting as well to unlock the mysteries held within...She searched for what seemed as hours through many different scrolls, tomes, and parchments...Shaking her head as she leaned back in the chair, about to give up but then something caught her eye...

A shimmering light blue parchment glittered beneath the settled dust in a forgotten corner of the temples, she blinked then blinked again having not remembered seeing it there before...Rising from her seat she made her way towards the parchment, as a chilling breeze caused her to shudder as she glanced about, then finding nothing there, she reached for the parchment...

[Illusia]

Date: 3/9/2000 4:16 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Illusia Marcine

~*~

As she reached for the parchment, a sharp knocking echoed through the temples, and she turned on her heel, a soft growl... "Who tis it?"

Knowing that only two knew that she was there, she worried, for she knew one was fast asleep, and the other would only be Rak...

And so the Falcon spoke to her through the mind link he held with her from her birth...

"Tis I Rak yer 'ighness, I've a missive ta ye from tha Lord Daelin Dragonsblade..."

A soft sigh of relief as she moved towards the door to open for him, the cold breeze again causing her to shudder, wrapping her robes about her elegant body a bit more tighter...She reached immediately for the letter that was meant for her, and unrolled the parchment anxiously...Rak took to his corner to await his Masters words...Illusia glanced over the parchment briefly, a soft sigh escaping her lips...She settled again at the desk to read the missive sent to her, the shimmering light blue parchment forgotten for the moment in the corner as she read with glittering emerald and silver eyes...

[Illusia]

Date: 4/10/2000 4:51 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Dae Dragonsblade

As soon as dawn broke that morning, Daelin was out on the streets of Rhydin. He seemed a foreboding figure, his new royal blue cloak of velvet with the golden dragon adorned on the back swept around him in the morning wind and mists. The golden plate armor underneath the cloak was visible at the neck and end of his arms and feet, the same design of a dragon in blue sapphire on the chestplate as with the golden one on the cloak. His jaw was set and the leaves of the forest he was crossing through blew around him. His emerald eyes were set ahead of him, toward the oncoming gray of the horizon.

Finally reaching his destination of Illusia Marcine's proper. He stopped outside the doors and lifted the right arm of his blue cloak, the silver wrist bracer on his arm glimmering in the weak sunlight. The empty hole within it where the Opal, Icedancer, had once rested seemed a bit deeper and darker. Pushing his sleeve back down, he knocked boldly on the door. After a few moments, he decided it would be best if he knocked softer, remembering that the one Illusia called Syous or her children could wake at any moment. He lowered the volume of his knock, then stepped back, waiting, half cast in shadow.

After waiting for a period of time he cared not to measure, she finally appeared. Giving her a glancing look of one who looked over his soldiers before leading them into a suicide charge, making sure he stopped on her eyes enough for her to catch the emerald color of his own. Nodding swiftly, either in satisfaction or anticipation, he spoke, his voice coated with an almost identical darkness to the one of twilight a few hours before.

"I see you are prepared, m'lady. I have the materials we shall need in a cart further down the path." He gestures toward the direction in emphasis. "We should get going. But first, the Opal."

He extends his hand, turning it over and looking at her once again...

::scrawled in blazing blue ink::
~Daelin Dragonsblade~
~Regent King of Dragonia~
~Twice Baron of the Seventh and Current Baron of the Eleventh~
~Bearer of the Blue Opal, IceDancer~

[Illusia]

Date: 4/10/2000 4:52 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Dae Dragonsblade

~*~

She awoke during the wee hours of the morn, and rose from her bed...She dressed in haste, knowing that Daelin would be there any moment as he said he wished to leave as early as possible...Adourned in ebony silken breeches, tight to the fit, a tight silver silken tanktop, her boots were knee high and ebony as well...She sighed softly as she ran the brush through her ebony hair...She had decided for this journey it would be best to have it out of her way, and so she braided it, weaving a silver ribbon and an ebony ribbon within her hair...Nodding moreso to herself she moved to her daughters room, and sat by her bed as she slept...She smiled softly, wondering if the babes would fair well in her abscence, yet knew she had no choice of whether or not to go...She let gentle fingertips brush the side of Setiva's cheek as she slept and spake softly to her as she did so..."I shall return soon my love, I will miss ye an be on yer best behaviour fer Mortiva an tha Elders aye?" As a last minute decision, Illusia had decided that it was best that when the twins and Mortiva woke that morn that they should take haste to her homelands, the Lands of the Ancient Mystiks, and stay there with the Elders until her return...Twould be safer and easier as the babes still had their lessons...A gentle kiss placed on Setiva's forehead as she rose from her side and moved to Kolanos' room and there she did the same...Moving from their rooms, she descended the stairs where she found Mortiva already preparing the babes things for their journey to the lands...She smiled softly to Mortiva as she went about gathering her things that she would need for the journey...She took only what she could carry having remembered what Daelin had said...She strapped daggers to her thighs...The whip she had grown fond of laid strap to her side as she glanced about her home..."Mortiva take 'eed ta make sure ye close things up well aye?" Mortiva nodded in response, knowing the woman was a bit tense as the moment approached when Daelin would arrive...She nodded towards Mortiva as she moved to take her cloak...She would not wear the Red Robes of the Towers on this journey, but her traditional cloak...The emerald, silver and ebony cloak once again adourned her body...The back weaved with the finest silks lay the Ancient Mystik Emerald Dragoon, with his tail wrapped about his body, emblazoned half in shadows and half in light...The cloak whispered about her form as if singing it's own song, and Illusia's heart dropped as the knock was strong on the door...She glanced towards it...And then the knock came softer...She smiled moreso to herself, depsite the fear that laid heavy in her heart...(sw) 'e always twas considerate...She moved swiftly towards the door, with a nod towards Mortiva...And her hand moved to open the door as she stepped to the side a bit...She lowered her head towards the man...Her voice soft..."G'morn m'lord..." She nodded towards him, his approval sought...And then he asked for the Opal, she had noted his eyes afore lowering her head and with a bit of hesitiation, her hand disappeared within her cloak, and withdrew the ebony velvet satchel that held the legendary Icedancer Opal...She handed it towards Daelin, and then stepped out by his side, a soft sigh parting her lips as she nodded farewell to Mortiva...They walked through the forests of Twilight towards the cart that Daelin had mentioned...Their journey had begun, and she only hoped that Daelin's confidence in her as well as the others was enough to get her through what lay ahead of them...

[Illusia]

Date: 4/10/2000 4:52 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Dae Dragonsblade

Taking the satchel in his hands he nodded, then slipped it deep into the recesses of his own cloaks. Noting the surprise on Illusia's face he replied: "There is no need for it now, plus I know how wary you are of me with it."

With that he continued down the beaten path, and he chuckled, trying to liven the mood and level of silence between them. "I once read a poem, about two roads in a wood, it seems the one less traveled would prove more of an adventure. Perhaps this is our case." She however just simply nodded, so Dae continued his focus on the road ahead.

Coming upon the cart in a clearing, the now somewhat brighter sunlight cascading on the road making it look like a road of opportunity instead of the road leading into the terrors they would soon encounter. The driver of the cart was going over some last minute checks, and upon seeing them he turned and nodded to Daelin.

"Preparations done, Mr. Dragonsblade. I trust you two are ready?"

Daelin nodded softly, looking to Illusia, then climbing into the cart and helping her up as well. He gestured to two bundles behind her. "There are rations of food and water in the bundles, go easy on the food, we may regret over consumption later on. You can fill yourself on water and wine, we do have the Opal to meet our water needs. Plus we'll need to travel light. The driver will only take us to the border of Gothmorda."

Settling back against the opposite end of the cart that started the journey with a rickety lurch then a few bumps, he nodded softly. "It's going to take some time to get to the Orcish lands, so you may want to catch up on some of the rest you may have missed last night."

With that, he resumed his relaxed posture, breathing lightly, preparing his body for battle and taking in the tranquil sights around them..

[Illusia]

Date: 4/10/2000 4:52 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Dae Dragonsblade

~*~

She followed much in silence behind Daelin, as they continued on through the forests of her home...She listened, with a slight smile as he spake, and she simply nodded having not much to say as she tried to clear her mind a bit...As they reached the cart, she smiled towards the driver and with the aide of Daelin, climbed upon the cart, and settled herself back against the opposite end from him, curling her knees tight to her chest
as she glanced towards the forests one last time, before the cart lurched forward, and they were off...She glanced towards Daelin, and said softly... "I am nae tired...I twill be fine...As fer food, I've enough problems trying ta eat enough ta nae get sick, let alone ta take ta much o' me fill o' rations m'lord...Tis nae ana worry o' mine..."

And with that she settled a bit more comfortably in the cart as she glanced about once more...She wondered how long it would take for them to reach Gothmorda...She was anxious...But was it the anticipation of what lie ahead, or the anticipation of a quick return to her babes and her home...And her love Syous...A soft sigh escaped her lips as she watched the passing scenery..."Tis beautiful aye?"

[Illusia]

Date: 4/10/2000 4:53 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Dae Dragonsblade

After a few hours, the afternoon sun was beating down on the small cart. He quietly surveyed the change in landscapes as they passed from Rhydin, into the Orcish lands. Things got darker and quieter, then still deeper into the lands of the Orcs, the land seemed as if it had been robbed of all life and light. Trees were withered and dead, there was no vegetation, no animals..and worse of all there was no sound. It was all
dark and forboding. The cart suddenly lurched, then stopped and the driver turned around.

"This is where I cut out Mr. Dragonsblade. Thanks for the pay. But I like my life, and Gothmorda ain't the place for people like me. Be careful."

The driver waited until Dae had helped Illusia out of the cart and then grabbed the sack, slinging it over his shoulder. As the driver rode off, Dae looked to Illusia.

"Welcome to the final round." He said, he reached into the bundle, producing a smaller sack and a silver arm bracer. He had changed his clothes earlier in the trip from his blue robes and gold plate armor to a black silk shirt, grey pants and some fine leather boots. He clasped the arm bracer around his right hand, then he tucked the sack into his shirt. He removed the black bundle and pulled Icedancer out of it. The Opal glimmering even now on the outskirts of the land of darkness. He placed the Opal into the hole of the arm bracer..a sharp *Click* being heard.

Looking to Illusia, his face set with determination. "You ready?"

~~~*~~~

Later that day..

Having entered Gothmorda earlier in the afternoon, Daelin figured they had about 6 to 7 hours to travel north into the center of the land, which he figured would be their goal. The first couple of hours had gone by without a hitch, they had traversed far into the land without much sound or trouble. The only problem he had was the shadows that appeared to dance around them. Out of the corner of his eye, they seemed to be people, their hands stretching out toward them, then when he would look..they would vanish. He wondered if Illusia saw them, but he didn't ask..not wanting to alarm her. The path they traveled along even worried him. It was grey, and although it was wide, it was as if it was moving with them, so they gained no ground. The scenery didn't change either, always dark and gloomy, no life anywhere around. Around the 5th hour or so of traveling, there was a huge black tree in the middle of the path, it was surrounded on a couple of sides by a crumbling wall.

"Well, this seems like as good a place as any to take a rest." He gestured to Illusia to take a seat and get some rest. He fell to his own feet, he leaned against the dark tree and thought about the point of this journey, technically..he didn't know why he was here, but he figured it would be important. He stood watch the couple of hours they rested, and the land got significantly darker. Off in the distance, he thought he make out some shuffling figures. Turning, he noted that Illusia had fallen asleep, so he leaned back against the tree..checking their unprotected sides almost every other second. Clutching his hand at the platinum hilt of 'Warfare' on the side of his hip..he frowned, getting a bit colder. He yawned quietly, it seemed the land of Gothmorda was taking it's toll of squeezing life out of him.

Within minutes, he was sound asleep..

::scrawled in blazing blue ink::
~Daelin Dragonsblade~
~Regent King of Dragonia~
~Twice Baron of the Seventh and Current Baron of the Eleventh~
~Bearer of the Blue Opal, IceDancer~

[Illusia]

Date: 4/10/2000 4:53 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Dae Dragonsblade

A sudden shuffling sound caused him to awake. However, he didn't open his eyes, but he was aware of someone or something being near the campsite. The sudden *scrape* of something across stone confirmed his thoughts and he opened his eyes..the emerald flashing and dread hitting the pit of his stomach as his fears were confirmed in the worst way.

He quickly jabbed Illusia with his elbow to rouse her, then placed his hand over her mouth to keep her from talking, the three skeletons were a few feet away, but he could tell they had found them and there was no where to hide.

"Don't look now, but we have company. Get ready. Remember, only magic from your willpower will work here, and don't be so flashy, you'll attract more."

With that, he moved to the side of the stone wall and crouched low. Unsheathing 'Warfare', the platinum glimmered in the gray light of the morning in the land of death, the snap of power a bit lower though..

As the first of the skeletons drew near, he rolled from the wall and delivered a powerful legsweep to the nether creature's shin. A couple of bones rattled and the creatures head swiveled toward the Dragonian, it's dark eye sockets almost hypnotizing him as it's rusted axe raised in the air then down toward Dae with a blinding speed. Continuing his roll, Dae managed to avoid the axe and rise to a standing position as the axe slammed into the wall. Raising 'Warfare', he jumped in quickly and delivered a cut toward the creature's midsection, one that would prove fatal under normal circumstances. The skeleton's ribcage shattered and a few bones fell to the stone path, making a sickening thud. The creature slashed it's axe wildly at the Dragonian and Dae barely had time to move 'Warfare' back into position to block the blow..but it caused him to stumble back a few steps and he almost fell over. By that time, a second skeleton was on top of him raising it's twin daggers and stabbing down at him, missing as he dove forward.

"Illusia!" he cried.."I can't hold both of them." He saw her concentrating on the second skeleton and so he rushed the one with the axe again, his mind trying to devise a way to destroy it. The creature slung it's rusted axe out again and he deftly sidestepped it, then the opportunity presented itself..Jabbing 'Warfare' quickly into the spine of the creature, he jerked the blade upward in a climhazzarding motion until he met the base of the skull, then with a swift motion and a sick *pop* sound, the head fell off and the body crumpled to the ground. He heard the sound of the second one behind him and he turned, the skeleton on top of him with daggers raised..he saw there was no way to escape the attack and he braced himself. Suddenly the creature was lit up with a soft white light, then he had to shield himself as it burst into flames and fell to the stone floor.

By that time, the third one was upon them, wielding a rusted mace and directing the weapon toward the head of the Dragonian. Dae quickly ducked, oblivious to the glowing of Icedancer on his wrist bracer..suddenly there was a blue mist, and the skeleton's legs, from the ankle down were encased in ice.

He stepped back, chuckling slightly as the creature struggled to move. Then he stepped forward and with a quick swipe of 'Warfare', the skull of the last skeleton joined the skull and charred body of it's comrades.

Turning, he noted Illusia who seemed to be recovering from both the attack and the exertion of the spell, which he guessed was some type of holy spell. Then he looked to the remains, and brought 'Warfare' down quickly on top of the two skulls, pieces of bone clattering into the stone wall and blackened tree.

"That was interesting." He said finally, then sheathing 'Warfare', he looked to Illusia a final time and motioned for her as he made his way ahead on the path.

[Illusia]

Date: 4/10/2000 4:54 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Dae Dragonsblade

As the second day of traveling wore on, Dae was more acute to the things around him. Off in the distance he could see figures of skeletons and other creatures he couldn't identify..but they were miles away, far from the path.

He idly wondered how far they had come, they hadn't seen anything noticeable on the gray stone path they were traveling. And save for the skeleton attack earlier that morning, nothing of particular interest had occurred since. He turned and looked toward Illusia, who had taken a solemn attitude, not speaking since the attack..Ahh, well maybe she was thinking.

Toward the time they decided to take a rest for the night, Daelin could see the dark outline of something in the darkening sky. He idly wondered what it was as he settled down against a huge bolder they had found off to the side of the gray path.

Illusia had taken up her position beside him, and he climbed up the rock to be more aware of an attack on all sides.

This time, he stayed awake throughout the night. A constant shivering keeping him up. Toward morning, he roused Illusia and after they had their morning ration of food, they continued toward the dark outline.

Daelin had figured by this time it was a building of some sort, and he calculated that if they continued on towards it, they could make it to the edifice by sundown and camp there.

Heaven help them if the outline was something else..

[Illusia]

Date: 4/10/2000 4:54 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Dae Dragonsblade

Sundown..

The Dragonian and Illusia stood a few feet away from the great building. They had not had an attack from anything since they made there way to it, but the closer they got..the brighter Icedancer began glowing.

It appeared to be a chapel of some sort, it's towering form reached toward the sky and the oncoming moon. Looking up at it sent a chill down both their spines. Clenching his fists, Daelin bit back the tug of fear and the little voice inside his head.

The building was made of dark stone, darker than ebony wood. They seemed like they may have been lighter at one time, along time ago..but the blackness of the land had settled on them. The metalwork, although it appeared to not be corroded or aged, was black as well..and looking through the paned windows, one could only see darkness. It seemed as if the building was more of a shadow than a true building. It was surrounded on a couple of sides by low huts of complete darkness as well, but it seemed those were long abandoned.

By the time Daelin had turned around, Illusia had lit a torch..the snap of the fire catching and the bright light not only forced him to shield his eyes, but it sent bats flying in all directions, causing him to shield himself more.

Illusia made a sheepish look and responded. "I know ye said nae ta make a scene. But it seems ta m' this is tha place we were looking fer. Now tha' we are 'ere, we can get wha'e'er it tis we are s'posed ta an leave."

He nodded, having much of the same sentiments. Stepping toward the huge oaken doors, he tugged at the black cast-iron handle. It stuck as if it wished to remain closed, but with a few forceful tugs more..it snapped open..

In the flames of the torch, Daelin saw two sickly yellow eyes right in front of him..then before he knew it, there was a sharp pain in his stomach and he was on the stone path, looking up at the night sky..

[Illusia]

Date: 4/10/2000 4:55 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Dae Dragonsblade

Within moments, he realized he wasn't dead at least. But, that it seemed that could be arranged as the creature that attacked him quickly leapt upon him, smashing another blow into the Dragonian's shoulder.

It was a large, hunched figure..it smelled of rot and death and looked it. Loose skin and muscle hung off of yellow, dried bones and a few teeth remained in it's mouth. He had read stories about many varieties of the dead that walked, this closely resembling what he remembered of how a zombie was described.

Quickly ignoring the flashes of pain in his body, he rolled with the creature, so that now he was atop it. Smashing his fist into it's face, he quickly stood up..and instantly wished he hadn't as he was forced to fall against the other oaken door of the chapel. Pain racking his body. The creature shuffled up slowly and moved toward him. He instantly reacted, waiting for it to come toward him before he brought his knee up and snapkicked it back.

The creature fell back, but continued it's slow onslaught. Not having time to reach for 'Warfare' Dae kept punching at the creature, which kept returning for more.

Finally, he pushed off the wall and tackled the creature in one last desperation attempt. They fell at the feet of Illusia, who was frozen with fear throughout the ordeal. Her face was white as was her hand, clutching the torch.

Suddenly, her jaw dropped and she let go of the torch, it falling upon the zombie, Dae reacted quickly and rolled off..pain now immobilizing him. The creature burst into flames from the torch..after a few moments, moisture from the air collected and doused the flames at the will of Icedancer..leaving the charred corpse of the animated dead.

Dae grunted in pain. He knew the blows should have subsided by now. What he did not know, however is the blows of the zombie had caused him to decay wherever it had laid it's hands upon him.

Illusia quickly rushed by him and knelt down. "Be still." She commanded. "Tha' creature must 'ave infected ye wit' death through it's touch..a few moments an ye'll be nae better off than it. Let m' 'andle this." She closed her eyes, her hands settling over his stomach. After a few seconds, the pain became unbearable..Dae felt as if he were on fire..his closed eyes flashing with red lights. Then the red succumbed to softer white light, then all went black. When he opened his eyes, Illusia had just fluttered hers open as well. "There." She said softly. "Tha' magics worked shall take care o' tha infections."

Standing slowly, Dae gazed into the darkness of the open chapel door. He frowned slightly, then turned to Illusia. With a slight nod from both of them..they made their entrance.